Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman/CEO Thomas F. Prendergast has named James L. Ferrara as interim president of MTA New York City Transit (NYCT), the agency which operates subway, bus and paratransit service in the city of New York.

Ferrara, the president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, will serve in this position after NYCT President Carmen Bianco retires August 21 and will continue as interim president until a new permanent president is named. The MTA is engaged in an international search to fill that position and is evaluating internal and external candidates.

“Running MTA New York City Transit is one of the most complicated and critical jobs in the entire MTA, and Jim’s excellent judgment and strong managerial skills make me confident the agency will be in good hands while we find Transit’s next permanent president,” Prendergast said.

Ferrara began his service to the MTA as a Bridges and Tunnels Officer in 1977 and was named President of Bridges and Tunnels in 2010. He has named Bridges and Tunnels Executive VP and CFO Donald Spero to serve as Acting Bridges and Tunnels president during this time.

“I am honored to be asked to assume this challenging role, and I thank the Chairman for entrusting me with it,” Ferrara said. “This temporary shift will require continued good work and support from my colleagues at Bridges and Tunnels as well as NYCT, and I thank them in advance for their help advancing the work of the entire MTA.”

A fully autonomous, 15-passenger electric shuttle manufactured by French firm NAVYA will support research and provide self-guided tours of Mcity, the university's test site for connected and automated vehicles.

The AV passenger shuttle will run a fixed-route stopping at designated stops within an office park. The pilot will begin with two vehicles — each with a customer service agent onboard for passenger questions and information.